Political and Jewish leaders raise Clementine Ford curatorship red flag after creatives doxxing
Lib MP Kellie Sloane and community leaders raise concerns about the feminist author’s ‘curatorship’ of a Sydney Opera House festival after her involvement in the doxxing of hundreds of Jewish creatives.
MPs and Jewish leaders have raised concerns with feminist author and celebrity blogger Clementine Ford’s “curatorship” of a Sydney Opera House festival following her involvement in a doxxing of about 600 Jewish creatives.
Ford is a co-curator of March’s All About Women festival, which will “explore big ideas important to women … through conversations, panels and workshops”.
However, political and Jewish leaders have raised concerns given her recent involvement in disseminating the details of Jewish creatives from a leaked WhatsApp group, with Vaucluse Liberal NSW MP Kellie Sloane demanding answers from Premier Chris Minns.
“(Ford) … has a history of being divisive on justice and equality issues,” Ms Sloane wrote in a letter to the Premier and Arts Minister John Graham, who has responsibility for the Opera House.
“Ms Ford has, among other comments, accused Jewish women of being ‘enthusiastic supporters of a murderous regime that has been killing children for over 70 years’ … She was also exposed for ‘doxxing’ Jewish creatives.”
Last Friday, Ford shared screenshots of a leaked WhatsApp group of Jewish creatives, including names and professions, and a link to a website listing the members.
“These are divisive actions that are contrary to the aims of the festival,” Ms Sloane wrote, asking how Ford was appointed and whether there would be a “diversity of perspectives”.
Ms Sloane said on Thursday that “Ford’s divisive comments are contrary to the festival’s aims, which are supposed to be about justice and equality”, adding that many in the community would feel “uncomfortable” attending.
In announcing her role, Ford referenced a “diabolical” campaign “run in secret” to silence pro-Palestine voices.
One of Ford’s events involves Randa Abdel-Fattah, a writer who shared a link to the leaked WhatsApp details last Friday, alongside author Matt Chun and activist Elsa Tuet-Rosenberg.
The Australian revealed how Chun and Ms Tuet-Rosenberg, alongside Zee Mazloum, were prolific sharers of the leaked details, with a history of anti-Israel social media posts.
Hilma’s Network executive director Charlotte Mortlock told The Australian she had unsuccessfully reached out to the event to connect it with “balanced” speakers.
“I attempted to be constructive … offering to connect them with women who would provide balance on their panels,” she said, accusing the Opera House of “silencing” centre-right women.
“If a radical individual wanted to host a private event that is biased, that’s not my business … (but) an event like this should be promoting and supportive of all women, not just women with a certain ideology.”
A petition calling for the Opera House to take “measures” that “addressed” Ford’s doxxing involvement has reached almost 6000 signatures.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said it was “baffling” that someone who had caused “harm to fellow Australians” was appearing at one of the nation’s “most prestigious forums”.
A Sydney Opera House spokeswoman said Ford had been a festival contributor for more than a decade, and had co-curated three events this year, not including her own performance.
She said the festival was “wholly funded” by the Opera House and that artists’ pay was “commercial-in-confidence”.
“Talks and ideas festivals are intended to generate thought, discussion and debate … we understand that not all views, perspectives or sessions will appeal to everyone,” she said.
“Speakers and attendees have represented a broad diversity of thought, religions, ethnicities, ages, genders and experiences.”
Ford didn’t respond to questions from The Australian.
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